Screw or like nicking machines



April 1956 v. H. FRAY SCREW OR LIKE NICKING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed June 14, 1952 INVENTOE V/cvmc A4L AGENTS April 17, 1956 v, H, FRAY2,741,784

SCREW OR LIKE NICKING MACHINES Filed June 14, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 3INVENTOE Vmro/c y/LL [(4/ AGENTS April 17, 1956 v. H. FRAY SCREW OR LIKENICKING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 14, 1952 INVENTOK V/cTflL/%LL 5,

BY WW X14 9 AGENTS April 17, 1956 v. H. FRAY 2,741,784

SCREW OR LIKE NICKING MACHINES Filed June 14, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 5Ulllllllllll 'NVENTOR V/c 70 It a 1. 6919/ EEN'I'S United Staes Thisinvention relates to screw and like nicking machines of the kind whereinthe blanks are mounted in a carrier drum and are carried past a sawcutting tool so as to cut, for example, the screwdriver slots in theheads of the blanks.

In one known form of nicking machine the blanks are mounted radially ina carrier drum with their heads proiecting inwardly the blanks beingcarried through the path swept by a power driven circular saw which ismounted eccentrically of the axis of the carrier drum. Such a machinesufiers from the disadvantages that the saw is not under a uniform loaddue to the fact that there is a gap between adjacent blanks and to thefact that initially only a small depth of cut is made the slots beingcut deeper as the blanks are carried past the saw. This uneven load onthe saw is accentuated by the fact that when a blank first contacts thesaw only a scratch cut is made thus causing a heavy load on the saw dueto the hard skin which is formed as a result of the head forming forgingoperation.

in view of the uneven loads on the saw it is necessary to mount it insubstantial bearings which, due to the nature of the machine, have to bedisposed in a confined space and are therefore difiicult to maintain.

Furthermore, the saw has to be sharpened from time to time and thus isreduced in diameter each time so that even though the machine allows ofsome range of adjustment to maintain the desired depth of cut of theslots, the saw, after several sharpenings, eventually becomes too smallin diameter for further use in the machine.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved screw orlike nicking machine which is not subject to the above disadvantages.

According to the present invention we provide a rotatable carrier drumhaving blank receiving slots formed therein, feed means for feedingblanks individually and successively into said slots and a stationarysaw member, mounted on the machine, and disposed so as to engage theheads of the blanks and operate thereon during their travel in thecarrier drum, means being provided for bold ing the blanks againstrotation in their slots whilst being operated on by the saw.

The carrier drum may be rotatable about a vertical axis, the blankreceiving slots being formed axially in the periphery of the drum sothat the heads of the blanks rest on the upper face of the drum with theshanks hanging down vertically and a pressure pad being provided aroundthe periphery of the drum for holding the blanks stationary in theirslots whilst they are operated on by the saw, this pressure pad engagingthe shanks of the blanks.

Alternatively he carrier drum may be rotatable about an axis inclined tothe vertical, the blank receiving slots in the periphery of the drumbeing provided, in this case, with an entry portion into which blankscan be fed with their shanks disposed vertically and a main portionleading out of said entry portion, the main portion being 'disposedbehind the entry portion and being parallel to the arent G axis of thedrum the entry portion being provided with one or more projectionsextending in front of the main portion of the slot so as to prevent ablank being withdrawn from the slot by movement in a direction radial tothe drum.

The surface of the main portion of the slot may be ribbed so as toprevent rotation of the blanks therein.

The blanks may be fed to the carrier drum down a chute comprising a pairof spaced rails on which the heads of the blanks rest with the shankshanging down between the rails a rotatable feed wheel being disposedadjacent the carrier drum for feeding the blanks into the slots in thedrum.

The saw may be in the form of a band saw or, alternatively, may be inthe form of a number of separate saw teeth elements mounted side by sidein spaced relationship. The saw is so arranged that it cuts along adiameter of the heads of the blanks and so that the first cut made onthe blanks is very shallow, the depth of cut increasing as the blanksare carried round under the saw.

in order to remove the burrs which are formed at the end of the slots,and which are particularly objectionable with countersunk screws,deburring cutters may be provided so as to operate on the blanks afterthey have passed the saw.

Gne form of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawingswherein:

Figure l is a plan view of one form of screw nicking 7 machine.

Figure 2 is a detail on an enlarged scale showing the blanks passingunderneath the saw.

Figure 2a is an enlarged view illustrating a modified form of cuttertooth edge.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the machine shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a detail in section of the deburring cutters and the drivetherefor.

Figure 5 is a detail showing the action of a single de burring cutterblade on adjacent screw blanks.

Figure 6 is a section on line 66 of Figure 1.

Figures 7, 8 and 9 are details of the blank receiving slots in thecarrier drum.

Figure 10 is a top plan view similar to Figure l but showing analternative form of screw nicking machine.

Figure 11 is a detail showing the blanks passing under the saw. I

Figure 12 is a section on line 12-12 of Figure 10 and Figure 13 is anenlarged side elevation view of the apparatus used for rotating theblanks in their slots after they have passed under the saw and beforethey reach the deburring cutters.

in the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 9 wherein it isapplied to a screw nicking machine for forming the screwdriver slots inthe heads of blanks the machine comprises a carrier drum 19 which isprovided round its periphery with a number of blank receiving slots 11.For the sake of simplicity in describing the carrier drum it) it may beconsidered as being mounted for rotation about a vertical axis though aswill be described hereinafter and is apparent from Figures 3 and 6 thecarrier drum is mounted to rotate about an axis inclined to thevertical.

The carrier drum 14 comprises a main body portion 12 which is mounted inupper and lower bearings 13 for rotation about a central stationaryshaft 14 the lower bearings 13 and the lower end of the shaft 14 beingsupported on a suitable bed plate 15. Bolted to the main body portion 12is a bevel gear 16 which is in driving engagement with a further bevel17 which is driven from any suitable source of power by a driving shaft18. Also secured to the ring portion 19 is a gear ring 21 formed withdownwardly projecting gear teeth 22 the purpose of which willemnreiullyi e ibed; it Thus it will be s en t at the carrier drum can berotated about the shaft 14 carrying round with it the carrier ring 2%and the blanks Whichgare disposed in the slots ll which areformed'therein; I

. The upperend of the central shaft. 14 is provided with atcone portion23,011 which; is mounteda stationary drum 24 which carries the sawmember. As shown inFigure 6 the stationary drum 2,4 is provided with acentral recess 25 into-which the threaded end of the shaft 14 projectsthe drum 24 being secured to the shaft 14 by means or" a suitable nut:26 engaging the threaded'end of theshaft 14. As -readily seen fromFigure. 2 the saw member comrprisesanumber of separate cuttingteeth orsaw teeth. elernents27 andfthese, saw teeth 27 are mounted in a ringmember 28 which is bolted to the stationary drum 24' and whichis'prov-ided round its-periphery with a number of axial, groovesinwhich1the=saw teeth element-s 27 are mounted these elements 2 7.being;retained in position by means-oi plates 29 which areboltedto thering 23. As

Duringthe head forgingoperationon the blanks there is a .tende ncy for'ahard skin to be formed on the heads of the'blanks and in order to reducethe wearonthefsaw teeth to a minimum the first few saw teeth.27 whichthe blanks encounter as they are: rotated with the carrier drum-19 havetheir cutting;edges of- V-shape-incross-section the crosssectional shapeof the saw teeth 27 being progressively changedifrorn V-shape to thefinal desired shape of the slot, that is-.to say,,c .am1el sectiornasillustrated in Figure 2a. Fnrthermore in order again to reduce the Wearon the saw teethelementsZ? and also to minimizethe-lofld imposed on anyparticular tooth, these saw teeth 27 are so arranged in the ring 28 thatthe depth of cut is gradually increased as the blanks travel round underthe saw so that the first teethonly efiecta scratch cut: on the head ofthe blanks the final teeth cutting to the full depth of slot requiredwinthe heads of the blanks.

It will be appreciatedthat the blanks must be prevented from rotating inthe slots 11 during their travel under the saw so that each successivesawtooth 27 enters into the slot; which has previously been cut andfurthermore the blanks must of course be prevented from coming out ofthe slots ll either as a result of the action of the saw or as a resultof centrifugal force it being appreciated that the carrier drum isrotating at a relatively high speed. in order to prevent the blanks fromrotating and also from accidently coming out offthe slots a special formof slot has been devised and this willnow be fully described.

As previously stated the carrier drum 10 is-in practice mounted forrotationabout an axis which is inclined to the vertical at an angle-ofthe order of Each blank receiving slot 11' comprises an inner ormainportion 30 of substantially semicylindrical shape; in plan extendingfor the full depth of the carrier ring 20 and the walls of this slot 3%being providedwith ribs 31 which are arranged parallel to the axisof thedrum 10 and the diameter of the innertportion 3% being substantially thesamerasthe shank diameter of the blanks. The front or entry portion 32of each slotll is disposed at an angle to thetmain portion 30 and thisangle is somewhat larger than the angle at which the axis of the carrierdrum is inclined to the vertical and may be for example 30 and the widthof this entry portion is somewhat greater than the shank diameter of theblanks. As will be seen from the drawings the inclination of this entryportion 32 is in the direction of rotation of the drum 1% and as Will beseen from Figure 9 the lower end of theleading face 33 of the entryportion 32 and the upper end of the trailing face 34 are provided withportions; which form continuations of the wall of the inher portion 30of the slot'and act as iabutments for oppoamuse A site sides of theblank; Since these portions are continur ations of the inner portion 3%)each slot is provided at the top of its trailing side with an abutmentsurface or extension 35 and at the bottom of its leading side with anabutment surface or extension 36 which extensions 35 and 36 are disposedin front of the geometric axis of the inner portion 3% so that if forexample a blank was slid into the main portion. 30 from above andiWas ofthe same diameter as this portion 30 it could not be removed from theslot by a radial movement towards the front of'the slot due to theoverhanging or projecting portions of the extensions 35 and 36. V v

The blanks are fed to the machine down a normal feed chute whichcomprises a pair of spaced rails 37 the heads of the blanks resting onthe upper surface of these rails and the shanks of the blanks hangingdown between the rails. Adjacent the carrier drum 16 the one rail 37terminates and is replaced-bye rotatable feed drum 38 which is mountedon a shaft 39=and driven from a suitable source of power by a pairoftbevels 4h andl the feed .drurnifizl bcingrotated in'th'e oppositedirection to, and at a faster speed than, the carrier drum it This feeddrum 33 is; mounted for rotationabout a vertical axis and as willbe seenfrom Figure. l the travel ofgthisfeed drum 38 approaches very closely tothe periphery of the carrier drum 1%.

around until a blankwregisters with one of the slots 11 in therotatingcarrier drum 19. As stated above the feed drum 33 is rotating about avertical axis and as the underside of the heads of the blanks rest onthe upper surfaceof thisdrum the blanks are disposed with theirshanks-vertical and'willttherefore enter the entry portion 32 of a slotlLeach entry portion 32, due'to the inclination of the carrien drum it),being substantially vertical. Thus-the blanks:; are in lihfi'POSllllOllOflhQ two right. hand blanks shown in Figure '7. As thecarrier drum continues to rotate it approachesisomewhat closer to thefeed drum 3-3 than at the'pointvwhen the blank first entered the slotand due partially to this closer approachof the carrier and feed drumsand also to the continued rotation of the carrier drum the blanks arerolled and tilted into the main portion 3d-of the slot so that they arein the position of the left hand blanks shown in Figure 7 and aredisposed behind the projectingportions 35 and 36. Thus the blanks areprevented from flying out of the slots .11 under the action ofcentrifugal force.

In order to assist the blanks in taking up their positions inthe innerslot3ti and'also in order to ensure that the blanks areall-pressed-fully home in the slots'a spring loaded shoe 42 is mountedon the stationary drum 24' in between the feed drurn-38zand thecommencement of the saw. This shoe 42 is pivotally mounted on a boss 43secured to the drum 24 and a spring 44 is interposed be.- tween theupper face of theshoe'42 and a lugj45'which is also secured-tothe'stationary drum 24." In order to revent possible damage to the; sawelements througha blank having an over-size or deformed head passingunder the sawthis shoe 42 may be associated with an electric contact sothat if the shoe 42 is lifted above its nor: al position thecontact ismadeso as to energize a solenoid associated witha brake device forstopping the rotation of the carrier drum.

If desired a pressure plate may be provided around the periphery of thatportion of thet'carrier drum between the feed drum 38'and thecommencement of the saw so as to prevent-the blanks becoming in anywaydisplaced in their slots due to centrifugal force though such a pressureplate. should not be necessary.

When the blanks encounter the saw teeth elements 27 the action ofv thesaw teeth on the heads of the blanks tends to tilt the blanks towardsthe trailing edge of the slots 3% so that the upper portionof thatlength of the shank of theblankwhichzis inthe slotr3i) is pressedbebindthe projecting-portion 35 whilst the'loWer portion The blanks are feddown the rails 37 and are then 7 engaged by the periphery of the drum 33and carried.

of that length of the shank is pressed behind the projecting portion 36.Thus the action of the saw is to hold the blanks more firmly in theslots 30 and furthermore the fact that the wall of each slot 30 isribbed will make the shanks bite against this wall thus preventing anyrelative rotation between the blanks and their slots.

As clearly seen from Figure l the saw member extends over approximately180 of the circumference of the carrier drum and adjacent the exit endof the saw member a deburring cutter 46 is provided. As is well knownwhen a slot is cut a burr is formed at the ends of the slot and this isparticularly objectionable with screws having countersunk heads. Thedeburring cutter shown in the drawings comprises a cutter wheel which isprovided with a number of radial cutting teeth 47 each tooth beingprovided on both sides with a cutting edge or blade 48. The cuttingwheel is keyed to a central shaft 49 which is rotatably mounted in abracket member'SG which is secured to the fixed drum 24. Keyed to thelower end of this shaft 49 is a gear wheel 51 which gear wheel 51 is inmesh with the downwardly projecting gear teeth 22 formed on the ring 21which is bolted to the carrier drum. Thus as the carrier drum 19 rotatesthe gear wheel 51 is driven thus rotating the shaft 49 and the cutters47. Also mounted on the shaft 49 for rotation therewith is a pressurewheel 52, this wheel 52 being mounted between the cutter teeth 47 andthe gear wheel 51 and frictionally engaging the shanks of the blanks inthe carrier drum 10. As seen in Figure 1 each cutting tooth 47 engagessuccessively between adjacent blanks so that the cutting blades 48remove the burr on the trailing edge of one blank and on the leadingedge of the next successive blank. Such an arrangement tends to causethe two blanks which are being acted upon by the cutter to rotate in theslots 11 but such rotation is resisted by the H engagement of thepressure wheel 52 with the shanks of the blanks. If desired, however,the deburring cutter 46 may be so arranged that instead of both bladesof one tooth engaging two adjacent blanks the adjacent blades of twosuccessive teeth may engage both sides of a single blank at the sametime. With such an arrangement it will be appreciated that any tendencyof the blanks to rotate in its slot under the influence of the cuttersis eliminated.

As previously stated a blank can not be withdrawn from a slot 30 bymeans of a radial movement and in order to eject the blanks from thecarrier drum an ejector or plough member 53 is provided, this ejector 53being mounted in a bracket arm 54 which again is secured to thestationary drum 24. As clearly seen from Figures 1 and 3 this ejector 53can be adjusted towards and away from the carrier drum so as tocompensate both for any wear which may take place and also for diiferentsized blanks. This ejector 53 is so located that it engages the lowerend of the shanks of the blanks which are hanging down below the slotsin the carrier drum and thus tilts the blanks into the original positionwhich they were in when the were being fed into the slots so that theblanks are forced into the outer portion 32 of the slots 30 from whichthey ejected both under the influence of the ejector 53 and centrifugalforce. The blanks are then collected in a suitable hopper from whencethey can pass to a threading machine.

Although we have shown a feed drum 38 whose diameter is only somewhatless than the diameter of the carrier drum the feed drum may be of.considerably smallerdiarneter and in this case both feed rails 37 willcontinue to a point nearer the carrier drum. By using a smaller diameterfeed drum a more positive feed can be obtained when the feed drum isinclined to the carrier drum.

In the alternative form of machine shown in Figures to 13 there is againprovided a carrier drum 60 which is provided around its periphery withaxially disposed blank receiving slots 61. As seen in Figure 12. thiscarrier drum 61} is mounted forrotation about a vertical fixed shaft 62and isprovided on its underside with an annular recess 63 the outerperipheral wall 64 of which is provided with gear teeth adapted to'meshwith a gear wheel 65 which is driven from any suitable source. Securedto the upper face of the carrier drum 66 in any suitable manner is acrown wheel 66 the purpose of which wil be described more fullyhereinafter.

Surrounding the periphery of the carrier drum 60 from the point at whichblanks enter the slots 61 therein to the point at which they aredischarged from the slots is an arcuate pressure pad 67 which retainsthe blanks in the slots 61 and which furthermore presses the blankstightly against the wall of the slots 61, which may be ribbed, so as toprevent the blanks from rotating in the slots.

The upper end of the shaft 62 is coned as shown at 68 and mounted onthis cone portion and secured thereon by means of a suitable locknut andwasher is the saw carrying bracket member 69 which as shown in Figure 10extends over approximately 180 arc of the carrier drum 66. The actualsaw 79, which in this instance is in the form of a band saw is securedto the lower end of this bracket 69 by means of a suitable arcuateclamping plate 71 and bolts 72. This saw is so disposed that it islocated over the axis of the blanks as they rest in the slots 61 in thecarrier drum so that a diametrical cut may be made in the heads of theblanks the saw approaching progressively closer to the carrier drum fromthe point at which the blanks first engage the saw to the point at whichthey leave the saw. Thus the depth of cut is gradually increased as theblanks are carried under the saw and an even lead is thus maintained oneach tooth of the saw.

The blanks are fed into the slots 61 in the carrier drum by means of asimilar feed arrangement to that described above the blanks being feddown a pair of stationary rails 73 (only one of which is shown in thedrawings) and are engaged by a rotating feed drum 74 which is rotated inthe opposite direction to the carrier drum 60 by any suita ble means thefeed drum 74 being rotated at a faster speed than the carrier drum. Asthe blank receiving slots 61 are axially disposed and as the carrierdrum and feed drum are both rotating about vertical axes the feed-in issomewhat simplified to that described above and the pressure pad 67 isso arranged that it engages the shanks of the blanks as soon as theyhave been pressed fully home in the slots 61 by the feed drum 74 andretains them in these slots until they have passed under the saw andpassed the deburring cutter which will presently be described.

In order to remove the burrs which are formed at the end of the slots atthe heads of the blanks we provide firstly an arrangement for rotatingthe blanks through 90 so that the slots which are of course initially inline with the saw are disposed radially of the carrier drum so that asthe carrier drum rotates the blanks are passed between a pair of fixeddeburring cutters 75 the cutting edges of which are so arranged that asthe blanks pass between these cutters 75 the burrs are pushed of cutofi. In order to rotate the blanks through we provide, in between theexit end of the saw 79 and the deburring cutters 75 a rotating drum 76which is mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis and is driven by ashaft 77 whose inner end carrier a bevel gear 78 which is in mesh withthe crown wheel 66 secured to the carrier drum 60. The outer end of thisshaft 77 is mounted in suitable bearings 79 supported by a bracket 89which is carried by the pressure pad 67. Mounted round the periphery ofthis drum 76 are a number of screwdriver elements each comprising ablade 81 and a shank portion 82 this shank portion 82 being rotatablymounted in a suitable radial opening formed in the drum 76. As clearlyseen from Figure 13 each shank portion 82 is provided on its inner endwith an axial opening 83 in which is mounted a coil spring 84 one end ofwhich is anchored to the shank 82 and the other end of which is anchoredto the drum 76. In addition each shank portion 82 has projectingtherefrom a a tar-fine th'ei blades" 8f engages a limiting stop 86 sodisposed" that disposed sothat they willi engage in the slot formed inthe head eta-blank as" the blank approaches a pointirnmedb atelyb'elowthe axis of the drum 76; Thus as clearly seen in Figure 13 as each blankapproaches to immediately below the d'rurri 76"the blade 81" ofthe'screwdriver will be entering thei slot formed inthehead of theyblank and asfthe blade 81 andbiank pass below the centre of the drum 76;the projectin'gfinger 85 associated with the blade 8i engagesa-fixed'stop 87'which' engagernent causes the shank82 "and bladeSI'of'the screwdriverelement to'rota'te through 90 thus rotating theblank through 90 in its slot'61; This rotation of the'blade S1 and itsshank S2 takesplace against the springtsd associated therewith andas'soonias the continuedimovement of the blank in the carrier drum andthe rotation of thexdrum 76 causes the blade 81' to' leave the slot invthe blank. the blade 31 and its associated shank 82' are rotated" by theaction of the spring 84until the projecting finger 85' again engages itsassociated stop 86 thus restoring theblade 81 to a position inwhich'it'will be ready to engage in the slot of another blank when thedrum 76 has gone through a further revolution. It will be appreciatedthat the spacing and number of screwdriver elementsand the speed ofrotation of the drum 76 must'correspond with thespacing of the slots 61in the carrier'drurnrand with the speed of rotation'ofithe carrier drum;

As described above the blanks now pass between the debnrring'cutters 75and as the pressure pad 67 terminates immediately after the deburringcutters 75 theblanks will then be ejected from the carrier drum 61) bycentrifugal force so that the slots 61 are ready to receive a furtherblank from the feed drum 74. V

It'will thusrbe seen that I have provided a machine wherein the blanksare slotted by means of a stationary a saw mernber's'o'thatthere isnonecessity for the complicated' appa'ratusassociated with a'rotating sawand furthermore a lighter and more even load-is imposed on each sectionof'the' saw so that not only can the speed of the carrier drum beincreasedas, compared with the speedof the carrier drum with a rotatingsaw but the wear on the saw is reducedso that the machine does not haveto be stopped so frequently to enable the saw to be rte-sharpened andreset.

What I claim then is:

1. A, screw or like nicking machine of the kind described including aframe, a work carrier rotatably supported by said'frame and having aplurality of open side slots symmetrically arranged about the axis ofrotation pickup station, means for rotating said carrier whereby blankssupported thereon are 'moved in an arcuate path, feedmejans for feedingblanks individually and successivelyinto's'aid slots with the headsofthe blanks positioned adjacent'to one end of the slots and with theshanks of the blanks disposed lengthwise of the slots, and stationarytool means comprising a series of cutting teeth a plurality'ot whichprogressively approach said carrier in the direction of. movementthereof carried by said frame and disposed about said arcuate path inalignment with the ends'of said slots adjacent to which the heads of theblanks are positioned whereby the heads of blanks sup: ported in saidcarrier are operated upon by the tool means during their travel in saidarcuate path. I

2. A screw or like nicking machine of the kind described includingaframe; a work carrier rotatably supported; by said frame and having aplurality of open side slots symmetrically-arranged about the axis ofrotation of said carrier, said slots extending generallylengthwise oftheaxi s of'rotation ofsaidcarrier and being adapted to receivetheshanks'of'headed blanks'fed thereto at a' pickup a V 8 station", means for"rotating said carrier whereby m nta supported thereon are; man-a ia ansmashes; d meansflforf'eeding Blanks-manually and success iv elyintcrsaid slots with the heads ottheblanks positioned adjacent to oneend-of'slots and with the shanks of the blanks disposed lengthwise ofthe slots,stationary tool. means comprising-a series of cutting 't'eeth' apluralityof which progressively approach said carrier in the directionof movement thereof carried by said frame and disposed about saidarcuate path in alignment with the endsofsaid' slots adjacent towhichthe headsof the blanks are posi': tioned whereby the'heads ofblanks supported in said" carrier are operated'upon by the tool meansduring theirl travel in said arcuatepath; said slots having a shape suchthat the sides'of the'shanksof'blanks carried therein pro jecttherefrom, and pressure padmeans substantially coextensive with saidtool means comprisinga member'hav ing a surface juxtajosed the opensides of's'aid'sl'ots and spaced from said carrier a distance such thatit enga'ges the projecting sides of blanks in'said'carrier as they are,

movedtherepastand clamps the blanksin saidslots.

3. A screw or like tricking: machine of the kind de.-. scribed includinga frame, a work'carrier rotatably supg ported by said frame and having aplurality of open side slots symmetrically arranged about the axis ofrotation of'said carrier, saidslotse'xtending generally lengthwise ofthe axis of rotation of'said carrier and being adapted to receive theshanks of beaded blanks ,fed thereto at a pickup station, means forrotating saidjcarrier whereby blanks supported thereon are moved inanarcuate path, feed means at said pickup station for feeding blanksindividually and successively into said slots with the heads of theblanks positioned adjacent to one end. of the slots and with the shanksof the. blanks disposed lengthwise of theslot'aeachofsaid'blankueceiving slots'being wider than the width" of the shanks ofthe blanks fed thereto and inclined with respect to itsdirection ofmovement in said arcuate path with; the end thereof adjacent to whichthe head of a blank thereinis positioned leading the other end therebyproviding oppositely facing exten: si'ons spaced lengthwise of the slotadapted to engage opposite sides'ofr a blank located therein with the"forwardly facing extension engaging the shank of the blank adjacent tothe head of the blank, and stationary to ol means comprising'a seriesof. cutting teeth a pluralit'y of which progressively approach saidcarrier inithe direction of' movement thereof carried by said frame anddis posed about said arcuate path in alignment with theends of saidslots adjacent to which-the heads of the blanks are positioned wherebythe. heads: of blanks supported I in said carrier are operated upon bythe tool means during their travel' in said arcuate path.

4'. A screw or like nicking machine of the kind described including aframe, a work carrier rotatablyfsup:

' ported by said frame and having'a plurality of open side slotssymmetrically arranged about theaxis of rotation of said carrier;said'slots extending generally lengthwise of the axis of rotation ofsaid carrier and being adapted to receive the shanks of headed blanksfed thereto at a pickup station rneans for rotating said-carrier wherebyblanks supported thereon are moved in anarcuate path, feed means forfeeding blanks individually and suc'ce's sively into said slots with theheads of theblanks positioned' adjacent to one end of the slots and withthe shanks of the blanks disposed lengthwise of the slots; and aplurality of stationary individual cutting teeth carried by said frameand disposed about said arcuate path in alignment with the ends ofsaidslots-adjacent towhich the heads of the blanks are positionedwhereby thejheads of blanks supported in said carrier are operateduponby the cutting teeth during their travel in said a'rcuate path, saidteeth having a plurality progressively approaching said carrier in thedirectionof movement thereof;

5. A screw or like nicking machine of the kind deseribed including aiframe, a" work-carrier rotatabl'y supported by said frame and having aplurality of open side slots symmetrically arranged about the axis ofrotation of said carrier, said slots extending generally lengthwise ofthe axis of rotation of said carrier and being adapted to receive theshanks of headed blanks fed thereto at a pickup station, means forrotating said carrier whereby blanks supported thereby are moved in anarcuate path, feed means for feeding blanks individually andsuccessively into said slots with the heads of the blanks positionedadjacent to one end of the slots and with the shanks of the blanksdisposed lengthwise of the slots, and stationary tool means having aplurality of cutting teeth progressively approaching said carrier in thedirection of movement thereof carried by said frame and disposed aboutsaid arcuate path in alignment with the ends of said slots adjacent towhich the heads of the blanks are positioned whereby the heads of blankssupported in said carrier are operated upon by the tool means duringtheir travel in said arcuate path. 7

6, A screw or like nicking machine comprising a carrier member adaptedfor movement in a forward direction, a plurality of pairs of first andsecond abutment surfaces adjacent an outer surface of said carrier forholding the shanks of screw blanks and the like, each first abutmentsurface having portions to engage outer and inner side surfaces of theshank of a blank forwardly of their extreme trailing edge, each secondabutment surface being spaced apart from said first abutment surface andhaving portions to engage outer and inner side surfaces of the shank ofthe blank rearwardly of the extreme leading edge of the shank, saidcarrier member being free from obstructions adjacent said abutmentsurfaces to permit the shank of a blank to be inserted between saidfirst and second abutment surfaces when in a position inclined to theirdirection of movement with the top portion of the blank leading withrespect to the bottom portion and to subsequently permit rotation of theblank about an imaginary axis positioned between the abutment surfacesand generally parallel thereto to bring surfaces of the blank intoengagement with said abutment surfaces, means for feeding blanks to saidabutment surfaces with the heads of the blanks projecting upwardly ofsaid first abutment surfaces and with the shanks of the blanks inclinedto the direction of movement of said carrier member, a spring loadedshoe member disposed adjacent to the first abutment surfaces in thecarrier drum and adapted to be engaged by the heads of the blanks andlocated in the direction of carrier movement from the feed means, saidshoe being adapted to rotate the blanks into engagement with theabutment surfaces about said imaginary axis, a plurality of cuttingteeth positioned above said first abutment surfaces in the direction ofcarrier movement from said feed means to successively engage the headsof the blanks, and means spaced in the direction of movement from saidcutting teeth to eject the blanks from said carrier.

7. A screw or like nicking machine of the kind described including aframe, a work carrier supported by said frame and having a plurality ofopen side slots adapted to receive the shanks of headed blanks fedthereto, means for moving said carrier whereby blanks carried therebyare moved in a predetermined path, feed means adjacent to said path forfeeding blanks individually and successively into said slots with theheads of the blanks positioned adjacent to one end of the slots and withthe shanks of the blanks disposed generally lengthwise of the slots,each of said blank-receiving slots being wider than the width of theshanks of the blanks fed thereto and inclined with respect to itsdirection of movement in said path with the end thereof adjacent towhich the head of a blank therein is positioned leading the other endthereby providing oppositely facing extensions spaced lengthwise of theslot adapted to engage opposite sides of a blank located therein withthe forwardly facing extension engaging the shank of the blank adjacentto the head of the blank, toolmeans carried by said frame and disposedalong said path in alignment with the ends of said slots adjacent towhich the heads of the blanks are positioned whereby the heads of theblanks supported in said carrier are operated upon by said'tool meansduring their travel in said path, a deburring cutting wheel adjacent tosaid predetermined path of said blanks mounted for rotation about anaxis substantially parallel to the direction of movement of said carrierand spaced in the direction of movement of said carrier from said toolmeans, and means for rotating said cutter Wheel in timed relation to themovement of said carrier, said cutting wheel comprising a plurality ofteeth adapted to dovetail and project into the spaces between the headsof blanks in the blank-receiving slots of said carrier as said cuttingwheel is rotated in timed relation to the movement of said carrier andhaving a cutting edge on the leading edge of each of said teethconforming to the trailing portion of the heads of the blanks wherebysaid cutting edges are successively forced inwardly across the trailingedge of the heads of successive blanks to remove burrs attached thereto.

8. A screw or like nicking machine of the kind described including aframe, a work carrier supported by said frame and having a plurality ofopen side slots adapted to receive the shanks of headed blanks fedthereto, means for moving said carrier whereby blanks carried therebyare moved in a predetermined path, feed means adjacent to said path forfeeding blanks individually and successively into said slots with theheads of the blanks positioned adjacent to one end of the slots and withthe shanks of the blanks disposed generally lengthwise of the slots,each of said blank-receiving slots being wider than the width of theshanks of the blanks fed thereto and inclined with respect to itsdirection of movement in said path with the end thereof adjacent towhich the head of a blank therein is positioned leading the other endthereby providing oppositely facing extensions spaced lengthwise of theslot adapted to engage opposite sides of a blank located therein withthe forwardly facing extension engaging the shank of the blank adjacentto the head of the blank, tool means carried by said frame and disposedalong said path in alignment with the ends of said slots adjacent towhich the heads of the blanks are positioned whereby the heads of theblanks supported in said carrier are operated upon by said tool meansduring their travel in said path, a deburring cutter wheel adjacent thepath of movement of said carrier and mounted for rotation about an axissubstantially parallel tothe direction of motion of said carrier andspaced in said direction of motion of said carrier from said tool means,means for rotating the movement of said cutter wheel in timed relationto said carrier, and a plurality of teeth on the periphery of said wheeladapted to dovetail and project into the spaces between the heads ofblanks in the blank-receiving slots of said car rier as said cuttingwheel is rotated in timed relation to the movement of said carrier, saidteeth having cutting edges on the leading and trailing edges of each ofsaid teeth conforming in shape to the surfaces of the heads and adaptedto engage the surfaces of the heads of adjacent blanks to remove theburrs thereon as the teeth are successively forced inwardly between theblanks as the wheel is rotated in timed relation to the movement of saidcarrier.

9. A screw or like nicking machine of the kind described including aframe, a Work carrier supported by said frame and having a plurality ofopen side slots adapted to receive the shanks of headed blanks fedthereto, means for moving said carrier whereby blanks carried therebyare moved in a predetermined path, feed means adjacent to said path forfeeding blanks individually and successively into said slots with theheads of the blanks positioned adjacent to one end of the slots and withthe shanks of the blanks disposed generally 11 a I V en th s of he l s hQ aidr ank-re e r ns slo fi d r han h id h f h ha ks 0 t e b anks. fedthereto and inclined with'respect to its direction of movement in saidpath with the end thereof adjacent to which the head of a blank thereinis positioned leading the other end thereby providing oppositely facingextensions spaced lengthwise of the slot adapted to engage oppositesides of a blank located therein with the forwardly facing extensionengaging the shank of the blank adjacent to the head of the blank, toolmeans carried by said frame and disposed along said path in alignmentwith the ends of said slots adjacent to which the heads of the blanksare positioned whereby the heads of the blanks supported in said carrierare operated upon by said tool means during their travel in said path,means positioned in the direction of movement of said carrier from saidtool means for rotating the blanks supported on said carrierapproximately 90 degrees, and a cutter blade positioned normal to thepath of movement of the blanks on the side to which the trailing edge ofthe blanks is turned by said last-mentioned means for engaging the'sideedge of the heads of the blanks and removing burrs thereon 10, A screwor like nicking machine according to claim 9 comprisinga spring loadedshoe member carried by the frame adjacent to the end of the slots in thecarrier ada ted to be engaged by the heads of the blanks and locatedintermediate the feed means and the tool means, said shoe being adaptedto press the blanks axially into the slots so that their heads are at acommon level prior to their being engaged by the tool means, andelectric means operatively connected to said shoe member for stoppingsaid icarirer when said shoe member is moved beyond a predeterminedposition due to an oversize or deformed blank.

11 A screw or like nicking machine of the kind described including aframe, a work carrier supported by said frame and having a plurality ofopen side slots adapted to receive the shanks of headed blanks fedthereto, means for moving said carrier whereby blanks carried therebyare moved in a predetermined path, feed means adjacent to said path forfeeding blanks individually and successively into said slots with theheads of the blanks positioned adjacent to one end of the slots and withthe shanks of the blanks disposed generally lengthwise of the slots,each of said blank-receiving slots being wider than the width of theshanks of the blanks fed thereto and inclined with respect to itsdirection of movement in said path with the end thereof adjacent towhich the head of a blank therein is positioned leading the other endthereby providing oppositely facing extensions spaced lengthwise of theslot adapted to engage opposite sides of a blank located therein withthe. for- Wardly facing extension engaging the shank of the blankadjacent to the head of theblank, tool means carried by said frame anddisposed along said path in alignment with the ends of said slotsadjacent to which the heads of the blanks are positioned whereby theheads of the blanks supported in said carrier are operated upon by saidtool means during their travel in said path, a rotatable drum thecircumferential surface of which is positioned over the forwardly facingextensions of said blank-receiving slots in said carrier, a plurality ofrotatable screw driver elements projecting radially from thecircumferential surface of said drum, said elements having fiat bladeportions for insertion into the 'slots formed in the heads of. theblanks in said carrier by said tool means, means for rotating said drumin time relation to the movement of said carrier to successivelyposition successive screw driver blades in the screw driver slots in theheads of successive blanks, means forrotating the screw driver elementsinto a position whereinsaid blades. are aligned to enter said screw.driver slots preparatory tobeingrotated into engagement with the headsof the blanks, means causing approximately a 90-degree rotation of theelements when said blades are. in engagement with the heads'of theblanks, and a cutter bladepositioned in the direction of movement ofsaid carrier, said cutter blade having a cutting edge conforming inshape to the surface of the heads on which burrs are formed by said toolmeans, said cutter blade being positioned normal to the path of movementof said heads adjacent the side of the. heads to which the burrs areturned by said screw driver blades whereby said burrs are removed asthey are moved past the cutter blade by the carrier.

l2. A screw or like nicking machine of the kind described including aframe, a work carrier supported by said frame and having a plurality ofopen side slots adapted to receive the shanks of headed blanks fedthereto, means for moving said carrier whereby blanks carried therebyare moved in a predetermined path, feed means adjacent to said path forfeeding blanks individually and successively into said slots with theheads of the blanks positioned adjacent to one end of the slots and withthe shanks of the blanks disposed generally lengthwise of the, slots,each of said blank-receiving slots being wider than the Width of theshanks of, the blanks fed thereto and inclined with respect to itsdirection of movement in said path with the end thereof adjacent towhich the head of a blank therein is positioned leading the other endthereby providing oppositely facing extensions spaced lengthwise of theslot adapted to engage opposite sides of a blank located therein withthe forwardly facing extension engaging the shank of the blank adjacentto the head of the blank, tool means carried by said frame and disposedalong said path in alignment with the ends of said slots adjacent towhich the heads of the blanks are positioned whereby the heads of the,blanks supported in said carrier are operated uponv by said tool meansduring their travel in said path, and an ejector member carried by saidframe adjacent to the path of said carrier for engaging the ends of theshanks of blanks extending beyond said rearwardly facing extensions totilt the blanks out of, engagement with said extensions and assist intheir removal therefrom.

13. A screw or like nicking machine of the kind described including aframe, a work carrier rotatably supported by said frame and having aplurality of open side slots symmetrically arranged about the axis ofrotation of said carrier, said slots extending generally lengt wise ofthe axis of rotation of said carrier and being adapted to receive theshanks of headed blanks fed thereto at a pickup station, means forrotating said carrier whereby blanks supportedthereon are moved in anarcuate path, feed means for feeding blanks individually andsuccessively into said slots'with the heads of the blanks positionedadjacent: to one'end'of the slots and with the shanks of the blanksdisposed lengthwise of the slots, said carrier having abutment surfacesadjacent to the ends of a plurality of said slots at which the heads ofblanks therein are located for engaging opposite radiallyv spaced sideportions of the shanks of blankstherein forwardly of their extremetrailing edges and abutment surfaces adjacent to the opposite end ofsaid plurality of slots for engaging opposite radially spaced sideportions of the shanks ofthe blanks therein rearwardly of their extremeleading edges, and stationary tool means comprising a series 'of cuttingteeth a plurality of which progressively approach said carrier in thedirection of movement thereof carried by said frame and disposed aboutsaid arcuate path in alignment with the ends of said slots adjacent towhich the heads of the blanks are positioned whereby the heads of blankssupportedrin said carrier are operated upon by the tool means duringtheir travel in said arcuate path.

14; A screw or like nicking machine of the kind described includingwaframe, a work carrier, rotatably supported by-said-jframeand having'aplurality of open side slots symmetrically arranged about the axis ofrotation of said carrier, said slots extending generally lengthwise ofthe axis of rotation of said carrier and being adapted to receive theshanks of headed blanks fed thereto at a pickup station, means forrotating said carrier whereby blanks supported thereon are moved in anarcuate path, feed means at said pickup station for feeding blanksindividually and successively into said slots with the heads of theblanks positioned adjacent to one end of the slots and with the shanksof the blanks disposed lengthwise of the slots, each of saidblankreceiving slots being wider than the width of the shanks of theblanks fed thereto and inclined with respect to its direction ofmovement in said arcuate path with the end thereof adjacent to which thehead of a blank therein is positioned leading the other end therebyproviding oppositely facing extensions spaced lengthwise of the slotadapted to engage opposite sides of a blank located therein with theforwardly facing extension engaging the shank of the blank adjacent tothe head of the blank, and a succession of stationary individual cuttingteeth carried by said frame and disposed about said arcuate path inalignment with the ends of said slots adjacent to which the heads of theblanks are positioned, said succession of cutting teeth having aplurality of teeth which progressively approach said carrier in thedirection of movement thereof whereby the heads of blanks supported insaid carrier are operated upon by the cutting teeth during their travelin said arcuate path.

15. A screw or like nicking machine of the kind described including aframe, a work carrier rotatably supported by said frame and having aplurality of open side slots symmetrically arranged about the axis ofrotation of said carrier, said slots extending generally lengthwise ofthe axis of rotation of said carrier and being adapted to receive theshanks of headed blanks fed thereto at a pickup station, means forrotating said carrier whereby blanks supported thereby are moved in anarcuate path, feed means for feeding blanks individually andsuccessively into said slots with the heads of the blanks positionedadjacent to one end of the slots and with the shanks of the blanksdisposed lengthwise of the slots, stationary tool means having a seriesof cutting teeth a plurality of which progressively approach saidcarrier in the direction of movement thereof carried by said frame anddisposed about said arcuate path in alignment with the ends of saidslots adjacent to which the heads of the blanks are positioned wherebythe heads of blanks supported in said carrier are operated upon by saidcutting teeth during their travel in said arcuate path, said slotshaving a shape such that the sides of the shanks of blanks carriedtherein project therefrom, and pressure pad means substantiallycoextensive with said tool'means comprising a member having a surfacejuxtaposed the open sides of said slots and spaced from said carrier adistance such that it engages the projecting sides of blanks in saidcarrier as they are moved therepast and clamps the blanks in said slots.

16. A screw or like nicking machine of the kind described including aframe, a work carrier movably supported by said frame and having aplurality of open side slots adapted to receive the shanks of headedblanks, means for moving said carrier whereby blanks carried thereby aremoved in a predetermined path, feed means adjacent to'said path forfeeding blanks individually and successively into said slots with theheads of the blanks positioned adjacent to one end of the slots and withthe shanks of the blanks inclined to the direction of movement of saidcarrier, each of said blank-receiving slots being wider than the widthof the shanks of the blanks fed thereto and inclined with respect to itsdirection of movement in said path with the end thereof adjacent towhich the head of a blank therein is positioned leading the other endthereby providing oppositely facing extensions spaced lengthwise of theslot adapted to engage opposite sides of a blank located therein withthe forwardly facing extension engaging the shank of the blank adjacentto the head of the blank, and tool means carried by said frame anddisposed along said path in alignment with the ends of said slotsadjacent to which the heads of the blanks are positioned whereby theheads of the blanks supported in said carrier are operated upon by saidtool means during their travel in said path.

17. A screw or like nicking machine of the kind described including aframe, a work carrier supported by said frame and having a pulrality ofopen side slots adapted to receive the shanks of headed blanks fedthereto at a pickup station, means for moving said carrier wherebyblanks carried thereby are moved in a predetermined path, a disk-shapedfeed wheel adjacent to said path for feeding blanks individually andsuccessively into said slots with the heads of the blanks positionedadjacent to one end of the slots and with the shanks of the blanksextending in the same direction and inclined to the direction ofmovement of said carrier adjacent thereto, each of said blank-receivingslots being wider than the width of the shanks of the blanks fed theretoand inclined with respect to its direction of movement in said path withthe end thereof adjacent to which the head of a blank therein ispositioned leading the other end thereby providing oppositely facingextensions spaced lengthwise of the slot adapted to engage oppositesides of a blank located therein with the forwardly facing extensionengaging the shank of the blank adjacent to the head of the blank, andtool means carried by said frame and disposed along said path inalignment with the ends of said slots adjacent to which the heads of theblanks are positioned whereby the heads of the blanks supported in saidcarrier are operated upon by said tool eans during their travel in saidpath.

18. A screw or like nicking machine according to claim 17 wherein thetool means comprises a plurality of cutting teeth elements the first ofwhich engaged by the blanks have their cutting edge of V shapecrosssection the cross-section of the cutting edge of the remaining sawteeth elements progressively changing to the cross-sectional shape ofthe required slot in the heads of the blanks.

19. A screw or like nicking machine of the kind described including aframe, a work carrier rotatably supported by said frame and having aplurality of open side slots symmetrically arranged about the axis ofrotation of said carrier and adapted to receive the shanks of headedblanks fed thereto, means for rotating said carrier whereby blankscarried thereby are moved in an arcuate path, feed means for feedingblanks individually and successively into said slots with the heads ofthe blanks positioned adjacent to one end of the slots and with theshanks of the blanks inclined to said path of movement of said carrieradjacent thereto, each of said blank-receiving slots being wider thanthe width of the shanks of the blanks fed thereto and inclined withrespect to its direction of movement in said arcuate path with the endthereof adjacent to which the head of a blank therein is positionedleading the other end thereby providin oppositely facing extensionsspaced lengthwise of the slot adapted to engage opposite sides of a lanklocated therein with the forwardly facing extension engaging the shankof the blank adjacent to the head of the blank, and tool means carriedby said frame and disposed about said arcuate path in alignment with theends of said slots adjacent to which the heads of the blanks arepositioned whereby the heads of the blanks supported in said carrier areoperated upon by said tool means during their travel in said arcuatepath.

20. A screw or like nicking machine of the kind described including aframe, a work carrier rotatably 3H1.- ported by said frame and having aplurality of pairs of first and second abutment surfaces adjacent to anouter portion of the carrier symmetrically arranged about its a r-419st1s 7 a SJL S of rotation and adapted to receive the shanks of headedblanks fed thereto at a pickup station, means for rotating said carrierwhereby blanks carried thereby are moved in an arcuate path, each firstabutment surface being shaped to engage outer and inner side surfaces ofa portion of the shank of a blank forwardly of its extreme trailing edgeand each second abutment Surface being shaped to engage outer and innerside surfaces of a portion of the shank of the blank which arer'earwardly V of its extreme leading edge, said work carrier being freefrom obstructions adjacent said first and second abutment surfaces topermit the shank of a blank to be fed thereto when inclined with respectto its direction of movement-in said arcuate path with the end thereofadjacent the first abutment surface leading with respect to its otherend, and to subsequently permit rotation of the blank about an imaginaryaxis positioned between the abutment surfaces and generally parallelthereto to bring the surfaces of the blank into engagement with saidabut merit surfaces, feed means for feeding blanks individually andsuccessively into a position between said pairs of abutment surfaceswith the heads of the blanks positioned adjacent said first abutmentsurfaces, and tool means carried by said frame and disposed about saidarcuate path adjacent to the heads of blanks in said carrier whereby theheads of the blanks supported in said carrier are operated upon by saidtool means during their travel in said arcuate path.

7 to receive the shanks of headed blanks fed thereto, means for rotatingsaid carrier whereby blanks supported thereby are moved inan arcuatepath, feed means for feeding blanks individually and successively intosaid slots with the heads of the blanks positioned adjacent to one endof the slots and with the shanks of the blanks inclined to said path ofmovement of said carrier adjacent thereto, each of said blank-receivingslots being. wider than the width of the shanks of the blanks fedtheretoand inclined with respect to its direction of movement in saidarcuate path with the end thereof adjacent to which the head of a blanktherein is positioned leading the other end thereby providing oppositelyfacing extensions spaced lengthwise of the slot adapted to engageopposite sides of a blank located therein with the forwardly facingextension engaging the shank of the blank adjacent to the head of theblank, and tool means carried by said frame in alignment with the endsof said slots adjacentto which the heads of the blanks are positionedwhereby the heads of blanks supported in said carrier are operated uponby the tool means during their travel in said arcuate path. j V

22. A screw or like nicking' machine of the kind described including aframe, a'work carrier rotatably supported by said frame and having aplurality of open side slots symmetrically arrangedabout the axis ofrotation of said carrier and adapted to receive the shanks of beadedblanks fed thereto, means for rotating said carrier whereby blankscarried thereby are moved in an arcuate path, feed means for feedingblanks individually and successively into said slots with the heads ofthe blanks positioned adjacent to one end of the slots and with theshanks of the blanks inclined to said path adjacent thereto, each ofsaid blank-receiving slots being wider than the width of the shanks ofthe blanks fed thereto and inclined with respect to its directionof'movement in said arcuate path with the end thereof adjacent to whichthe head of a blank therein'is'positioned leading the other end therebyproviding oppositely facing extensions spaced lengthwise of the slotadapted to engage opposite sides of a blank located therein withthe'foiwardly'facing ex tension engaging the shank of the blank adjacenttotlie head of theblank, and stationary tool means comprising a seriesof cutting teeth a plurality of which progressive.

ly approach said carrier in the direction of movement thereof carried bysaid frame and disposed about said arcuate path in alignment with theends of saidslots adjacent to which the heads of the blanksarepositioned, whereby the heads of the blanks supported in said carrierare operated upon by said tool means during their travel in said arcuatepath. I

23. A screw or like nicking machine of the kind described including aframe, a work carrier rotatably supported by said frame and having aplurality of pairs of first and second abutment surfaces adjacent to anouter portion of the carrier symmetrically arranged about its axis ofrotation and adapted to receive the shanks of headed blanks fed thereto,means for rotating said carrier whereby blanks carried thereby are movedin an arcuate path, each first abutment surface being arcuately shapedto engage outer and inner side surfaces of a portion of the shank of ablank forwardly of its extreme trailing edge and each second abutmentsurface being arcuatel-y shaped to engage outer and inner side surfacesof a portion of the shank of the blank which are rearwardly of itsextreme leading edge, said work carrier being free from obstructionsadjacent said'first' and second abutment surfaces to permit the shank ofa blank to be fed thereto when inclined with respect to its direction ofmovement in said'arcuate path with the end thereof adjacent the firstabutment leading with respect to Mother end and to subsequently permitrotation of the blank about an imaginary axis positioned between theabutment surfaces and generally parallel thereto to bring the surfacesof the blank into engagement with said abutment surfaces, feed means forfeeding blanks individually and successively into a position betweensaid pairs of abutment surfaces with the heads of the blanks positionedadjacent said first abutment surfaces, and tool means carried by saidframe and disposed about'said arcuate path adjacent to the heads ofblanks in said carrier whereby the heads of the blanks supported in saidcarrier are operated upon by said tool means during their travel in saidarcuate path.

24. A screw or" like nicking machine of the kinddecribed including aframe, a workettrriermovably supported by said frame and having aplurality of open side slots adapted to receive the shanks of headedblanks fed thereto, means for moving said carrier whereby blanks carriedthereby are moved in a predetermined path, feed means for feeding blanksindividually andsuccessively. into said slots with the heads of 'theblanks positioned adjacent to one end of the slots and with the shanksof the blanks inclined to said path adjacent thereto, each of saidblank-receiving slots being wider than the width ofthe shanks of theblanks fed thereto and inclined with respect to its direction ofmovement in said path with the end thereof adjacent to which the head ofa blank therein is positioned leading the other end thereby pro vidingoppositely facing extensions spaced lengthwise'of the slot adapted toengage opposite sides of a blank located-therein with the forwardlyfacing extension engag ing the shank of the blank adjacent to the headof the blank, said feed means comprising a rotatably disk-shaped feedwheel whose outer circumference extends adjacent to said predeterminedpath of the blanks, said wheel having axially extendingblank-receivingslots around its outer circumference and being rotated in timed relationto the movement of said carrier and about an axis disposed' in a planeparallel to the path of motion ofsaid.

blanks but inclined to the direction of motion of said carrier atan'angle correspondingto that'of'the idclined angle'of saidslots, andtool means carriedlby said fratne and disposed about saidpredetermine'dipathi' in align nient with theends of said slots adjacentto' 'whichthe head's of the. blanks are positioned whereby the hes-as ofthe'bl'anks supported in said carrier-are operated upon by said toolmeans during their travel in said path.

25. A screw or like nicking machine of the kind described including aframe, a work carrier rotatably supported by said frame and having aplurality of pairs of first and second abutment surfaces adjacent to anouter portion of the carrier symmetrically arranged about its axis ofrotation and adapted to receive the shanks of headed blanks fed thereto,means for rotating said carrier whereby blanks carried thereby are movedin an arcuate path, each first abutment surface being shaped to engageouter and inner side surfaces of a portion of the shank of a blank whichare forwardly of its extreme trailing edge and each second abutmentsurface being shaped to engage outer and inner side surfaces of aportion of the shank of the blank which are rearwardly of the extremeleading edge of the shank, said Work carrier being free fromobstructions adjacent said first and second abutment surfaces to permitthe shank of a blank to be fed thereto when inclined with respect to itsdirection of movement in said arcuate path with the end thereof adjacentthe first abutment leading with respect to its other end and tosubsequently permit rotation of the blank about an imaginary axispositioned between the abutment surfaces and generally parallel theretoto bring the surfaces of the blank into engagement with said abutmentsurfaces, feed means for feeding blanks individually and successivelyinto a position between said pairs of abutment surfaces with the headsof the blanks positioned adjacent said first abutment surfaces, saidfeed means comprising a rotatably disk-shaped feed wheel whose outercircumference extends adjacent to said arcuate path of the blanks, saidwheel having axially extending blank-receiving slots around its outercircumference and being rotated in timed relation to said carrier aboutan axis inclined to the axis of rotation of the carrier at an anglecorresponding to the angle at which the abutment surfaces are adapted toreceive the blanks, and tool means carried by said frame and disposedabout said arcuate path adjacent to the heads of blanks in said carrierwhereby the heads of the blanks supported in said carrier are operatedupon by said tool means during their travel in said arcuate path.

26. A screw or like nicking machine of the kind described including aframe, a work carrier rotatably supported by said frame and having aplurality of open side slots symmetrically arranged about the axis ofrotation of said carrier, said slots extending generally lengthwise fthe axis of rotation of said carrier and being adapted to receive theshanks of headed blanks fed thereto, means for rotating said carrierwhereby blanks supported thereby are moved in an arcuate path, feedmeans for feeding blanks individually and successively into said slotswith the heads of the blanks positioned adjacent to one end or the slotsand with the shanks of the blanks inclined to said path adjacentthereto, each of said blank-receiving slots being wider than the widthof the shanks of the blanks fed thereto and inclined with respect to itsdirection of movement insaid arcuate path with the end thereof adjacentto which the head of a blank therein is positioned leading the other endthereby providing oppositely facing extensions spaced lengthwise of theslot adapted to engage opposite sides of a blank located therein withthe forwardly facing extension engaging the shank of the blank adjacentto the head of the blank, said feed means comprising a rotatablydisk-shaped feed wheel whose outer circumference extends adjacent tosaid pre determined path, said wheel having axially extendingblank-receiving slots around its outer circumference and being rotatedin timed relation to said carrier about an axis disposed in a planeparallel to said path but inclined thereto at an angle corresponding tothat of the inclined angle of said slots, and tool means carried by saidframe in alignment with the ends of said slots adjacent to which theheads of the blanks are positioned whereby the heads of blanks supportedin said carrier are operated upon 18 by the tool means during theirtravel in said arcuate path.

27. A screw or like nicking machine of the kind described including aframe, a work carrier rotatably supported by said frame and having aplurality of open side slots symmetrically arranged about the axis ofrotation of said carrier and adapted to receive the shanks of headedblanks fed thereto at a pickup station, means for rotating said carrierwhereby blanks carried thereby are moved in an arcuate path, feed meansat said pickup station for feeding blanks individually and successivelyinto said slots with the heads of the blanks positioned adjacent to oneend of the slots and with the shanks of the blanks inclined to said pathadjacent thereto, each of said blank-receiving slots being wider thanthe width of the shanks of the blanks fed thereto and inclined withrespect to its direction ofrmovement in said arcuate path with the endthereof adjacent to which the head of a blank therein is positionedleading the other end thereby providing oppositely facing extensionsspaced lengthwise of the slot adapted to engage opposite sides of ablank located therein with the forwardly facing extension engaging theshank of the blank adjacent to the head of the blank, said feed meanscomprising a rotatably diskshaped feed wheel whose outer circumferenceextends adjacent to said arcuate path, said wheel having axiallyextending blank-receiving slots around its outer circumference and beingrotated in timed relation to said carrier about an axis disposed in aplane parallel to said path but inclined thereto at an anglecorresponding to that of the inclined angle of said slots, andstationary tool means comprising a series of cutting teeth a pluralityof which progressively approach said carrier in the direction ofmovement thereof carried by said frame and disposed about said arcuatepath in alignment with the ends of said slots adjacent to which theheads of the blanks are positioned whereby the heads of the blankssupported in said carrier are operated upon by said tool means duringtheir travel in said arcuate path.

28. A screw or like nicking machine of the kind described including aframe, a work carrier rotatably supported by said frame and having aplurality of open side slots symmetrically arranged about the axis ofrotation of said carrier, said slots extending generally lengthwise ofthe axis of rotation of said carrier and being adapted to receive theshanks of headed blanks fed thereto, means for rotating said carrierwhereby blanks supported thereon are moved in an arcuate path, feedmeans for feeding blanks individually and successively into said slotswith the heads of the blanks positioned adjacent to one end of the slotsand with the shanks of the blanks disposed lengthwise of the slots, saidfeed means comprising a rotatably disk-shaped feed wheel whose outercircumference extends adjacent to said arcuate path, said wheel havingaxially extending blank-receiving slots around its outer circumferenceand being rotated in timed relation to said carrier about an axisdisposed in a plane parallel to said path but inclined thereto at anangle corresponding to that of the inclined angle of said slots,stationary tool means comprising a series of cutting teeth a pluralityof which progressively approach said carrier in the direction ofmovement thereof carried by said frame and disposed about said arcuatepath in alignment with the ends of said slots adjacent to which theheads of the blanks are positioned whereby the heads of blanks supportedin said carrier are operated upon by the tool means during their travelin said arcuate path, a deburring cutter wheel adjacent saidpredetermined path of said blanks mounted for rotation about an axissubstantially parallel to the axis of rotation of said carrier andspaced in the direction of movemeent of said carrier from said toolmeans, and means for rotating said cutter wheel in timed relation tosaid carrier, said cutter wheel comprising a plurality of cutting teethadapted to dovetail and project into the spaces between the heads ofblanks in the blank-receiving slots of said carrier as said cuttingwheel is rotated'in timed relation to said carrier and having a cuttingedge on the leading edge of each of said teeth conforming to thetrailing portion of the heads of the blanks whereby said cutting edgesare successively forced 'in'iv'ardly a cross the trailing edge of theheads of successive blanks to remove burrs attached thereto.

29. A screw or like niclging machine Of the kind described including afir'a ne, a Work carrier rotatablysup- Port d y i ame nd ha ing a p ir ly of p Side slots symmetrically arranged about the axis of rotation o sar ie sa d l ts'ek endi gene ally len h is Of the x s i o a ion of s icarri r and b ing 'dap e to ceive h ha s o head d b n s, f d hereto,mean for o n said carrier her y' lank suppo d her on are rnoved in anarcuate path, feed means for feeding blanks individually and sll e Wilyinto said slots i h he hea of the bl nk nos on d adjac n to o end'of'theslots and with the, shanks of the blanks disposed lengthwise of theslots, said feed means comprising a rotatably disk-shaped feed wheelv'vhose outer circumference extends adjacent to said arcuate path, saidwheel having axially extending blank-receiving. slots around ts tercircumfer nce a d be ng rjfltat l' n t mc re tion to said carrier about"an axis disposed in a'planc parallel to said path butiinclin'ed theretoat an angle corresponding to that of the inclined'angle' of said slots,stationary tool means comprising a series of cutting teeth a-pluraiityof which, progressively approach said carrier in thedirection ofrnovernent thereof carried by said frame and disposed about saidarcuatepath in alignment with the ends of said slots adjacent to which theheads of the blanks are positioned whereby the heads of blanks supported in said carricr are, operated upon by the tool means during theirtravel in said arcuate path, means positioned in the direction ofmovement of said carrier from said tool means for rotating the blankssupported on said carrier approximately ninety degrees, and a cutterblade positioned normal to the path of movement of blanks on the side towhich the trailing edge of the blanks is turned by said last-mentionedmeans for engaging the side edge of the heads of the blanks and removingburrs thereon;

.Eteterences Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS101,228 Clement Mar. 29, 1870 314,936 Harvey et a1. 'Mar. 31, 18851,153,540 Carpenter Sept. 14, 1915 2,531,240 Wilcox Nov. 21, 19502,643,404 Fray June 30, 1953 2,646,726 Fogg July 28, 1953 FOREIGNPATENTS 274,028 Switzerland June 1, 1951 591,245 Germany Ian. 18, 1934

